The Miss Venezuela contest is the national beauty pageant of Venezuela and has been held since 1952. The combination of the intense competition to enter the pageant, the comprehensive training required of all contestants and winners, and its unparalleled record at winning international contests has made Miss Venezuela the world's most successful national beauty title. It is responsible for selecting the country's representatives to the Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss International pageants (amongst others). Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Logo of the Miss Universe event. ... The official Miss World logo . The Miss World pageant is an international beauty pageant founded in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951. ... Miss International event logo Miss International (officially titled The International Beauty Pageant) is the fourth largest beauty pageant in the world. ...

Under the direction of Osmel Sousa, Venezuela has accumulated more international titles than any other country, including four Miss Universe, five Miss World, and five Miss International winners. Alexandra Braun Waldeck, who won Venezuela's first Miss Earth title in 2005 (arguably the third-ranking member of the highest tier of international contests) was first runner-up at the Miss Venezuela pageant, and although she was not officially sent by the Organizacion Miss Venezuela her victory is considered in part due to its training. Throughout the 1990s, the emergence of Miss India as a strong contender has posed a serious challenge to Venezuela's long string of wins; other contestants that have traditionally challenged Miss Venezuela predominance in international pageants are Miss Puerto Rico and Miss Dominican Republic. The pageant is broadcast live across Latin America by Venevision, with edited versions to the United States and Mexico on Univision network. Traditionally the pageant lasts about four hours and is held in late September, but it is actually preceded by two or three months of preliminary events, including the award of corporate prizes. Osmel Sousa is a Venezuelan impresario and (as of March 2006) is the president of the Miss Venezuela Organization. ... Alexandra Braun Waldeck Miss Earth 2005, Alexandra Braun Waldeck of Venezuela (born 1983 in Venezuela )is a multi-talented 5 foot 9 inches tall fashion model who participated as Miss Venezuela in the 2005 Miss Earth She was the first Miss venezuela to make the Miss Earth finals, she went... Femina Miss India is an annual, national beauty pageant held in India and organized by Femina, a womens magazine published by Bennett, Coleman & Co. ... Miss Puerto Rico and Miss Mundo de Puerto Rico are the official national preliminaries to the Miss Universe and Miss World international pageants respectively. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ... Venevisión is Venezuelas largest TV station, owned and presided over by Gustavo Cisneros. ... Univision is a Spanish-language television network in the United States. ...

Venezuela, a highly multiracial and diverse country, is the world's largest consumer of cosmetics on a per-capita basis, the culture of beauty runs deep as thousands of entrants apply for the pageant each year. Some young women would try for up to five or six years consecutively trying to get one of the 26 to 32 titles that will enable them to compete in the final pageant. Venezuela's 23 states, capital, and two regions of Zulia state are always represented; some years other regions of the country will have representatives in the pageant. Although some major states and regions such as Zulia, Tachira, and Carabobo will hold their own preliminaries, many of the states are assigned by geographical proximity or even random drawing to the final contestants. There is therefore considerably less emphasis on state titles than there is in other major pageants such as Miss USA, although certain areas such as Miranda, Nueva Esparta, Distrito Capital and Carabobo always seem to fare well. In 2006, a Venezuelan-American filmmaker Patrick Atanasije Pineda obtained the rights to document every detail of the pageant, including its process and contestants. Estado Zulia is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... Miranda State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital Los Teques Area    â€¢% 7,950 km² 0,87   (Ranked 17th) Population    â€¢% 2,857,900 hab. ... Nueva Esparta State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital La Asunción Area    â€¢% 1,150 km² 0,12   (Ranked 23rd) Population    â€¢% 436,900 hab. ... Carabobo State Anthem Motto: Ocassus servitutis (Latin: Decline of servitude) Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1864 State capital Valencia Area    â€¢% 4,650 km² 0,51   (Ranked 21st) Population    â€¢% 2,227,000 hab. ...

Getting to the pageant

A would-be contestant joins the pageant at either the local level, if a regional contest is held in her state, or goes directly to the pageant's headquarters in Caracas. Regional contests generally select three to six candidates (except for the massive Miss Centroccidental pageant, which covers six to seven midwestern states) who will likely represent the state or one nearby: i.e. a candidate who is a finalist for Miss Carabobo will usually expect to represent Carabobo or a neighboring state such as Yaracuy in the final pageant. However, Osmel Sousa, president of the pageant, always sits on the selection panel regardless if it is a final regional contest or the direct "auditions", and it is not uncommon for him to overturn the entire regional results in favor of his own choices. For example, none of the candidates in 2004 for Vargas state were deemed fit for competition, so a candidate from Caracas was appointed Miss Vargas. Winners therefore have often never visited the state they represent. All this is done in accordance with the philosophy that the "strongest survive." In this fashion, rather than waste five or six candidates from a strong area of the country such as Zulia in a system wherein only one can represent the state, the pageant distributes "spare states" to them so all have an opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities in the final night. Traditionally, strong candidates have been pulled from Caracas, Zulia and Carabobo states, although they can come from all over the country; e.g. in 2003 the Miss Centroccidental pageant sent seven candidates to the pageant, while in 2005 only one proceeded to the finals.

There is never any guarantee that a contestant will make it all the way to the final night, as the pageant reserves the right to pull out any candidate that is deemed not to be performing up to standard. However, such decisions are usually made before the class is convened and the various state sashes are handed out, a major ceremony each year that occurs behind-the-scenes but is eagerly awaited by those involved with the pageant. The pageant keeps a "reserve" pool of willing candidates always available to replace any last minute rejected contestant. Many aspirants will also make it into the final 50 or 60, only to be eliminated from the final rost of 26-32 contestants. Such eliminations have no real bearing on how well the contestant will do in the future. Mariangel Ruiz, Miss Venezuela 2002, did not place into the final 120 in 1998; Barbara Clara, second runner-up in 2004, had previously tried for the pageant three times before winning a title at the last minute in 2004. In the 2005 edition, for example, several candidates including Marianne Puglia (Aragua) and Johanna Penaloza (Vargas) were well known "eliminations" from 2002 and 2003. Mariangel Ruiz Mariangel Ruiz (born January 07, 1980 in San Juan de los Morros, Guarico, Venezuela) is a Venezuelan show hostees, actress and fashion model. ... Barbara Clara, a native of Monagas, Venezuela, was crowned Miss Italia Nel Mondo 2000 or the most beautiful Italian Miss Italy in the world. ... Marianne Puglia Marianne Pasqualina Puglia Martínez (born January 26, 1985 in La Victoria, Aragua State, Venezuela) is a model and Miss Earth Venezuela / Sambil Model 2006. ... Aragua State Anthem State motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1899 State capital Maracay Area    â€¢% 7,014 km² 0,76   (Ranked ) Population    â€¢% 1,629,433 hab. ...

Reentry into the final pageant is rare, although the rules are arbitrary and not as restrictive as those of Miss Colombia or as liberal as Miss Puerto Rico Universe. Only one contestant has ever participated in the official Miss Venezuela pageant twice: Maria Fernanda Leon, who represented Guarico in 1999 and Portuguesa in 2002. Aida Yespica competed in Miss Venezuela World 2001 but withdrew before being assigned a state for the final pageant her year; she returned in Miss Venezuela 2002 for Amazonas state. The majority of the contestants in 2000 and 2001 competed in both the Miss Venezuela World and Miss Venezuela contests of their respective years; they were assigned numbers for the Miss World preliminary, with the most desirable contestants being allowed to proceed to the final Miss Venezuela pageant with state titles. The ten contestants for the "emergency" Miss R.B. Venezuela (Miss Venezuela for Miss Universe 2000) and the six for Miss Venezuela Mundo 2006 (Miss Venezuela for Miss World 2006) were "recycled" from previous years. This situation is supossed to be seen during the 2007 pageant, in which is expected the participation on many former contestants. Liliana Campa, Miss Carabobo 2005 is expected to compete again. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Miss Universe 2001 Denisse Marie Quiñones Miss Puerto Rico and Miss Mundo de Puerto Rico are the official national preliminaries to the Miss Universe and Miss World international pageants respectively. ...

State titles

There is an unofficial formula to determining the states and regions represented in Venezuela. The base number of contestants over the last decade has been 26, which can be increased by Venevision's management.

Official states (23)

  * Denotes that state has a preliminary pageant – which may or may not still be held – as of 2005 only Tachira, Zulia, Lara, Aragua and Sucre held preliminaries. Amazonas State Anthem State motto: Honor y Lealtad (Spanish: Honor and Loyalty) Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1994 ¹ State capital Puerto Ayacucho Area    â€¢% 180,145 km² 19,38   (Ranked 2nd) Population    â€¢% 136,506 hab. ... Estado Anzoátegui, one of the 23 component states of Venezuela, is located in the northeastern region of the country. ... Estado Apure is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... Aragua State Anthem State motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1899 State capital Maracay Area    â€¢% 7,014 km² 0,76   (Ranked ) Population    â€¢% 1,629,433 hab. ... Barinas is a city in west central Venezuela. ... Bolivar is derived from Sim n Bol var, one of the principal figures of the Latin American civil wars so called of independence; the Republic of Bolivia and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela are named after him, as are a number of other things, mainly in the Western Hemisphere: More... Carabobo State Anthem Motto: Ocassus servitutis (Latin: Decline of servitude) Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1864 State capital Valencia Area    â€¢% 4,650 km² 0,51   (Ranked 21st) Population    â€¢% 2,227,000 hab. ... Cojedes State Anthem State motto: Ad sum (Latin: I am here) Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1864 State capital San Carlos Area    â€¢% 14,800 km²   (Ranked 1,62) Population    â€¢% 291,234 hab. ... Estado Delta Amacuro is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... Species About 37; see text. ... Guárico State Anthem State motto: Si amas la libertad, ven a mis pampas (English: If you love liberty, come to my plains) Location whithin Venezuela Created (given current status) 1900 State capital San Juan de los Morros Area 64,986 km² Population (2001 est. ... Lara State Anthem State motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1901 State capital Barquisimeto Area    â€¢% 19,800 km² 2. ... Mérida State Anthem State motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1864 State capital Mérida Area    â€¢% 11,300 km² 1,23   (Ranked ) Population    â€¢% 819,760 hab. ... Miranda State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital Los Teques Area    â€¢% 7,950 km² 0,87   (Ranked 17th) Population    â€¢% 2,857,900 hab. ... Estado Monagas is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... Nueva Esparta State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital La Asunción Area    â€¢% 1,150 km² 0,12   (Ranked 23rd) Population    â€¢% 436,900 hab. ... Portuguesa State Anthem State motto: Honor y Gloria (Spanish: Honor and Glory) Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital Guanare Area    â€¢% 15,200 km² 1,65   (Ranked ) Population    â€¢% 848,259 hab. ... Sucre, the constitutional capital of Bolivia Sucre (population 247,300 in 2006) is the constitutional capital of Bolivia, seat of the Supreme Court (Corte Suprema de Justicia), and capital of the Chuquisaca department. ... Táchira State Anthem Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1899 State capital San Cristóbal Area 11,100 km² Population (2001 est. ... Trujillo State Anthem State motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1899 State capital Trujillo Area    â€¢% 7,400 km² 0,81   (Ranked ) Population    â€¢% 691,908 hab. ... Vargas State Anthem Location whithin Venezuela Created (given current status) 1997¹ State capital La Güaira Area 1,496 km² Population (2001 est. ... Estado Yaracuy is one of the 23 states (estados) of Venezuela. ... Estado Zulia is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ...

• * Denotes that state has been represented through the Miss Centroccidental preliminary. Additionally, three states, Carabobo, Falcon and Merida hold their own individual pageants.

Official regions (3)

• Costa Oriental de Lago (East lake coast (Maracaibo Lake))
• Distrito Capital (Capital District)
• Peninsula Goajira (Goajira peninsule)

Costa Oriental and Peninsula Goajira are regions of Zulia state and are titles handed out at the Miss Zulia preliminary. As of 2003 Costa Oriental has its own preliminary. This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Goajira, in the most northern portion of South America, is a peninsula running into the Caribbean Sea from the Serrania del Perija mountains range. ... Goajira, in the most northern portion of South America, is a peninsula running into the Caribbean Sea from the Serrania del Perija mountains range. ...

Together, these 26 regions form the "base" of the Miss Venezuela contest. However, at times other regions and territories have been represented. If there are 27 sashes, the 27th candidate is Miss Dependencias Federales (representing the Venezuelan islands). If there are 28 sashes, either Canaima (a national park in Bolivar state) or Peninsula de Paraguana (a region of Falcon state) is represented. In 2003, additional titles of Peninsula de Araya (a region of Sucre state) and Roraima (a national park in Bolivar state) were created to bring the pageant to its highest ever number of contestants: 32. In the mid-1990s, the districts of Municipio Libertador and Municipio San Francisco were also represented, the last one only in 1997 and 1998. Also, only in 2003, Guayana Esequiba (Part of Guyana that historically Venezuela claims of its own) was represented. Vargas state, the most recent modification in Venezuela's map (1999) was always present in the pageant, but with other names: Departamento Vargas (until 1986) Municipio Vargas (1987 to 1997) Territorio Federal Vargas(1998) and Vargas State since 1999. Satellite image of the Paraguaná Peninsula The Paraguaná Peninsula is a peninsula of Venezuela, situated in the state of Falcón. ... Flag of Roraima See other Brazilian States Capital Boa Vista Largest City Boa Vista Area 225,116. ...

Ranking of the regions:

1. Guárico has won the most titles with 8 winnings (1963,1966,1976,1978,1982,1985,2004,2006; the candidate who won in 1976 resigned, so Nueva Esparta became Miss Venezuela).
2. Capital District is second, with 7 crowns (1956,1957,1960,1961,1965,1968 and 2001; the first 5 of them were won as "Federal District" except 1961, won as "Miss Caracas". These have been the only 2 times that a state or region had consecutive winnings).
3. Miranda has the third place of more winnings with 5 (1955, 1964, 1981, 1988 and 1999).
4. There is a triple tie in the fourth place with 4 crowns each: Nueva Esparta (1972,1975,1976 and 1987; curiously, it had 3 second places in a row, from 1995 to 1997 and other in 1999) Carabobo (1953, 1970, 1973 and 1996) and Vargas, with all its victories when it was called "Department" (1967,1969,1977,1979).

With 3 victories: Aragua (1969, who resigned so miss Vargas Department became the new winner; 1992,2002) and Lara (1980,1989,2003). With 2 titles: Sucre (1958,2005) Apure(1993,2000) Zulia(1974,1984) and Bolivar (1952,1990)

Finally, just with one victory each, is Anzoátegui(1962) Monagas(1971) Portuguesa (1983) Trujillo(1986) Amazonas(1991) Costa Oriental (1994, though many people think this victory belongs also to Zulia State) Yaracuy (1995) Táchira (1997) and Delta Amacuro (1998).

Interestingly, representatives of Miranda state have won all three major titles of international beauty: Miss Universe (1981), Miss World (1955 and 1984) and Miss International (1997). The rest of Venezuela's major international titleholders represented the following states or department during their Miss Venezuela competition (indicates year of international victory): Miss Universe: Vargas Department (1979), Trujillo (1986) and Yaracuy (1996); Miss World: Aragua (1981), Zulia (1991) and Nueva Esparta (1995); and Miss International: Monagas (1985), Costa Oriental (2000), Carabobo (2003) and Barinas (2006). Miss Earth 2005, Alexandra Braun Waldeck competed in Miss Venezuela 2005 as Miss Nueva Esparta but was sent to the Miss Earth pageant by Sambil Organization (the owners of Miss Earth Venezuela franchise) not by the Miss Venezuela organization.

Training

Once a candidate is shortlisted for the pageant, she begins an intensive training program which can last for half a year. She receives coaching in speech, physical fitness, make-up, modelling, and all the other skills required for the competition. The Miss Venezuela also plastic surgery is optional some refer to padding, and cosmetic dentists, a source of unending criticism from many quarters, in particular rival Latin American pageants. As the Miss Venezuela broadcast lasts up to four hours long, with countless musical numbers and dances, rehearsals alone require weeks of preparation on the part of the contestants. Furthermore, contestants must devote countless hours to official photoshoots (lately done by Ivan Dumont, after several years by Daniel Alonso) and also to fittings by fashion designers. The evening gowns worn by candidates are a major source of politicking by Venezuela's domestic fashion houses, with top designers such as Mayela Camacho, Ángel Sanchez, Durant & Diego, and Jose Maria Almeida selecting candidates that they will dress for the final night, while other, newer designers compete to present designs for the pageant. As a general rule the evening gowns are always custom-designed for each of the candidates on the final night, and always by a Venezuelan designer. By tradition, Nidal Nouaihed dresses the representatives of his home state of Zulia (Miss Costa Oriental, Miss Peninsula Goajira, Miss Zulia); Ángel Sanchez designs the gown for Miss Trujillo; Jose Maria Almeida designs the dress for Miss Merida and the national costume for Miss Venezuela to Miss Universe. Only in 1999, 26 different designers took part of the evening gown competition, one candidate for each one. Also, in 2006, for the first time ever, the designers appeared on stage with the delegates, showing their fabulous creations.

The winners chosen to represent Venezuela in the major international pageants are accorded unparalleled fame and opportunities in the country and throughout Latin America, although they will further undergo continuous preparation to compete in those pageants. All these efforts, funded by corporate sponsors like Pepsi Cola, Palmolive, Colgate, Ebel and Lux -attracted to the pageant by ratings at times as high as 80% ratings- have been rewarded by an impressive record particularly at the Miss Universe contest. Between 1983 and 2003, Miss Venezuela placed into the semifinals each consecutive year, and between 1991 and 2003 into the final six. Venezuela has also twice held the two top international beauty crowns simultaneously: in 1981-1982 with Irene Saez (Miss Universe) and Pilin Leon (Miss World), and again in 1995-1996 with Alicia Machado (Miss Universe) and Jacqueline Aguilera (Miss World). This unmatched streak was ended in 2004 when Ana Karina Añez was eliminated from the finals held in Quito, Ecuador. It is said that Osmel Sousa will retire from his two decades of directing the pageant after seeing a Venezuelan crown another Venezuelan as Miss Universe- in a pageant where no country has ever won on consecutive years. In total, Venezuela has won over seventy international crowns under the guidance of the pageant, and the country's representatives never fail to bring back at least one international title each year. Pepsi-Cola, most commonly called Pepsi, is a soft drink produced by PepsiCo which is sold worldwide in stores, restaurants and vending machines. ... Colgate redirects here. ... Colgate redirects here. ... The lux (symbol: lx) is the SI derived unit of illuminance or illumination. ... Logo of the Miss Universe event. ... Irene Lailin Sáez Conde (born 13 December 1961) is a Venezuelan who won the Miss Universe title in 1981 in New York City, and later became an important figure in Venezuelas political arena. ... Carmen Josefina Leon Crespo, best known as Pilin Leon, won the 1981 Miss World contest, representing Venezuela. ... Alicia Machado (2003) Yoseph Alicia Machado Fajardo (born December 6, 1976), commonly known as Alicia Machado, was the fourth woman from Venezuela to win the Miss Universe crown. ... Jacqueline Aguilera Marcano (1976?-) was Miss World in 1995, representing Venezuela. ... Nickname: Luz de América Map of Ecuador showing location of Quito Coordinates: Country Ecuador Province Pichincha Canton Quito  - Mayor Paco Moncayo Area approx    - City 290 km²  - Land 290 km²  - Water 0 km² Elevation 2,800 m Population (2005, estimation)  - City 1,865,541 (canton)  - Density ~4,800/km² Time...

Notable winners

Each "class" of Miss Venezuela is carefully composed, based on a general look or trend that the organizers are aiming for. Some have a high proportion of blondes (e.g. the 2005 class had 20 blondes versus 8 brunette candidates), while some a high mixture of mestizos and darker-skinned candidates. A very strong candidate may be pushed back a year or even two or three so that she can fully develop her potential. Nevertheless, there are "stronger" and "weaker" years, often determined by the presence of "filler" candidates that the press incessantly isolates. At the end, all that is needed is a handful of finalists to send to the international competitions to ultimately determine a good or a bad year, and the overall "quality" of the class often has no bearing on the final international outcome. Mestizo (Brazil Portuguese. ...

Winning the pageant is by no means a requisite for later success, which helps explain its intense popularity. Simply competing is enough to get a contestant noticed and launch her on a successful television or print career. At least a dozen well sought models come out of the pageant. Virtually all of Venezuela's female top models and television personalities are alumni of the pageant, including Maite Delgado (who competed in 1986 against future Miss Universe Bárbara Palacios, Alexandra Braun (Miss Earth 2005) and Dominika van Santen (Top Model of the World 2005). In fact, only Gaby Espino and several other entertainment figures stand out as never having competed in the pageant. Many of today's top young models, such as Onelises Brochero, Dayana Colmenares and Wendy Medina, have repeatedly been rejected by Miss Venezuela; on the other hand, Goizeder Azua and Desiree Pallota, who have variously been considered the top domestic supermodels in the country, joined the pageant after establishing their careers. Barbra Palacios Teyde (born December 9, 1963), better known simply as Barbara Palacios , is the third contestant from Venezuela to win the Miss Universe pageant She did it in Panama on July 26, 1986. ... Miss Earth 2005, Alexandra Braun Waldeck of Venezuela Alexandra Braun Waldeck (born 1983 in Venezuela) is Miss Earth 2005. ... The 5th annual Miss Earth pagant took place on October 23rd, 2005 in Quezon City, Philippines. ... Dominika van Santen Alix (born Jul 15, 1983 in Venezuela) is Top Model of the World 2005. ... Gaby Espino as a Chica Polar Pilsen Gaby Espino (born María Gabriela Espino Ruguero on November 15, 1976 in Caracas) is a Venezuelan actress and model. ... Goizeder Victoria Azúa Barríos, from Valencia, Venezuela is the Miss International titleholder for the year 2003. ...

Nowadays, familiar faces on Spanish TV networks around the world include Catherine Fulop, Carolina Perpetuo, Norkys Batista, Daniela Kosán, Viviana Gibelli, Marjorie de Sousa, Chiquinquirá Delgado and Natalia Streignard. Two of the Latin world's most famous personalities, supermodel Patricia Velásquez and singer/actress Maria Conchita Alonso, also participated, in 1989 and 1975, respectively. Miss Universe 1981, Irene Saez, is perhaps most famous as the beauty queen who became mayor of part of metropolitan Caracas, governor, and high-profile presidential candidate in 1998. Interestingly, Miss Venezuela 1986, Bárbara Palacios, won the Miss Universe title just ahead of Miss USA Christy Fitchner, who in turn won Miss USA a few points ahead of Miss Ohio 1986, Halle Berry. Norkys Yelitza Batista Villarroel (born September 30, 1977 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a model and an actress. ... Daniela Kosán Daniela Kosán Montcourt is a Venezuelan model and television presenter born February 24, 1974 (1976 according some sources) in Maracay. ... Viviana Gibelli (born December 22, 1965) is a Venezuelan TV show host and former beauty queen. ... María Chiquinquirá Delgado Díaz (born 7 August 1972 in Maracaibo), is a Venezuelan actress and also Mega Matchs show host since 2002. ... Natalia Streignard Natalia Martínez Streignard is a Venezuelan actress, born September 9, 1970 in Madrid, Spain. ... Patricia Velásquez (born January 31, 1971 in Zulia, Venezuela) is a Venezuelan actress and fashion model. ... Maria Conchita Alonso María Conchita Alonso (born June 29, 1957) is a Cuban-born Venezuelan singer and actress. ... Irene Lailin Sáez Conde (born 13 December 1961) is a Venezuelan who won the Miss Universe title in 1981 in New York City, and later became an important figure in Venezuelas political arena. ... Barbra Palacios Teyde (born December 9, 1963), better known simply as Barbara Palacios , is the third contestant from Venezuela to win the Miss Universe pageant She did it in Panama on July 26, 1986. ... Halle Maria Berry (born August 14, 1966[1]) is an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Academy Award-winning American actress and former fashion model and beauty queen. ...

Many other national directors have often expressed their envy for the Miss Venezuela system, and for the established culture which promotes participation in pageants. Japanese model mogul Ines Ligron, appointed as Director of Miss Universe Japan in 1998 by Donald Trump, recently cited Venezuela as one country which holds an automatic advantage in recruitment: "Their culture teaches them from an early start to speak out, to be glamorous, and to turn heads." The trend looks unlikely to abate even if Venezuelans tire of the pageant itself. Jeff Lee, a former media designer for ex-Miss Venezuela and rising soap actress Monica Spear, writes that "There is a system built in place that makes participating in the pageant worthwhile, regardless of whether or not Venezuela's culture of beauty intensifies or subsides. Venezuela's national pageant operates as a subsidiary of the Grupo Cisneros. Since Gustavo Cisneros made a tremendous push to make his television stations Venevision and Univision the leading producer of Latin American telenovelas, the pageant has become a 'training ground' for women interested in acting and other television roles. It makes economic sense: the women who go into the beauty academy each year emerge with extensive dancing, speaking, and performing experience from the most popular TV program in Venezuela. They're trained in everything, including handling sustained media coverage which can go for months for the contestants who parlay Miss Venezuela into the international pageants. When alumni go to audition for future roles in the media, executives have already had a preview of how they perform in the public spotlight, and they're picking from women who are already known to the general public. The recruitment for television roles is basically performed by the pageant. You don't need to win Miss Universe to land roles as hostesses and soap actresses, as Daniela Kosan, Catherine Fullop, Maite Delgado Carolina Perpetuo and Marjorie de Sousa prove, and aspirants understand that simply making it onstage for the final night can be a ticket to fame." Monica Spear Mootz is Miss Venezuela 2004, born October 1984 in Maracaibo, Zulia State. ... Gustavo Cisneros (b. ... Venevisión is Venezuelas largest TV station, owned and presided over by Gustavo Cisneros. ... Univision is a Spanish-language television network in the United States. ... Logo of the Miss Universe event. ...

Miss Venezuela and other countries

Some unsuccessful delegates in the pageant have used the Miss Venezuela training to catapult in other countries. Natascha Börger became the first Venezuelan to switch countries. She had placed 14th in Miss Venezuela 2000 before moving to Germany, where she won the Miss Deutschland pageant easily. At the Miss Universe 2002 pageant she gave a formidable performance, placing sixth behind Miss Venezuela 2002, Cynthia Lander by only a fraction of a point. Natascha has since gone on to become one of the most decorated beauty queens in history, sweeping numerous contests and placing in virtually every competition she has entered. The prospect of former contestants transferring their schooling to other countries seemed to become a reality when rumors flew that Astrid Carati, who had placed four spots ahead of Natascha in 2000, would go to Dominican Republic to contest that nation's crown. Though ultimately she did not compete in that country (where she would have gone up against future Miss Universe Amelia Vega), the rumors were enough to spur the pageant to allow former contestants (not winners) to try again. The policy was revoked after an experimental year. Miss Germany is a national beauty pageant for unmarried women in Germany. ... Born in Caracas, Venezuela on june 10, studied until she was 11 years old and then moved to the USA and returns to venezuela whe she was 16 [2]. // Cynthia has participated in [3]: Miss International, Tokyo, Japan (august, 2002). ... Victoria Amelia Vega Polanco (born November 7, 1984 in Santiago de los Caballeros, Santiago, Dominican Republic), known simply as Amelia Vega, is a Dominican woman who won the Miss Universe contest held in Panama City, Panama on June 3, 2003, becoming the first Dominican woman ever to win the Miss...

In 2005, Francys Barraza Sudnicka, who represented Trujillo in Miss Venezuela 2003 and finished in the top ten, was a major favorite to win the Miss Poland title. She was too old to go to Miss World 2005 (the winner of Miss Poland is assigned to Miss World, the first runner-up to Miss Universe) and therefore considered highly likely to become Miss Poland Universe, but only placed into the semifinals after being knocked out by an interview question. In November 2005, it was announced that Francys has been appointed to the title of Miss Poland Universe, making her the country's official representative to Miss Universe 2006 and the second alumnus of the Miss Venezuela pageant to capture a foreign Miss Universe title. Francys Mayela Barraza Sudnicka is a Polish descent model. ...

Delegates with Italian heritage have also taken advantage from their schooling. There is a strong relationship between doing well in Miss Venezuela and the Miss Italia nel Mondo (Miss Italy in the World) pageant: all three Venezuelans who have won the latter placed in the final five of Miss Venezuela: Barbara Clara (Miss Amazonas 2004) Valentina Patruno (Miss Miranda 2003) and Silvana Santaella (Miss Península de Paraguaná 2003) Although in this case, they worn sashes representing Venezuela except Patruno, who wore USA sash. Vanessa Fanesi (Miss Yaracuy 2002) was 1st. runner-up in that contest. Miss Italia nel Mondo or Miss Italy in the World is an Italian beauty pageant for women of Italian heritage. ...

It should be noted that the Miss Venezuela school of beauty achieved such fame in the late 1990s that numerous countries would petition to have their candidates trained by Osmel Sousa and the pageant's team. Among these countries were Colombia, Philippines, and Brazil. In 2003, Amelia Vega of the Dominican Republic received training in the school before going on to win the Miss Universe pageant; Mariangel Ruiz, Miss Venezuela 2002 placed second behind her. The result was a ban from Venevision executives on the training of any foreign contestants. Nevertheless, designers of the Miss Venezuela pageant have provided support to other countries, including the new Miss Latvia Universe pageant which is run by Venezuelans (and Latvia's very first entry in the pageant went on to become a top 10 finalist). Victoria Amelia Vega Polanco (born November 7, 1984 in Santiago de los Caballeros, Santiago, Dominican Republic), known simply as Amelia Vega, is a Dominican woman who won the Miss Universe contest held in Panama City, Panama on June 3, 2003, becoming the first Dominican woman ever to win the Miss... Mariangel Ruiz Mariangel Ruiz (born January 07, 1980 in San Juan de los Morros, Guarico, Venezuela) is a Venezuelan show hostees, actress and fashion model. ...

In recent years the pageant organization has begun to "import" expatriates who have been working as international models. Miami alone has produced Valentina Patruno (Miss World Venezuela 2003), Andrea Gomez (Miss International Venezuela 2004), Monica Spear (Miss Venezuela 2004), and Ileana Jimenez (Miss Portuguesa 2005). Monica Spear Mootz is Miss Venezuela 2004, born October 1984 in Maracaibo, Zulia State. ...

Further notes of interest

Between 2000 and 2002, the Miss Venezuela pageant was split into two contests: the Miss World Venezuela pageant, to elect the representative to Miss World, from which a reduced group of contestants would go on to compete in Miss Venezuela to go to the Miss Universe contest. In 2002, the organization merged the Miss World Venezuela contest with the Gala de Belleza, making the final "state cut" before the election of the Miss World representative. The two pageants were rejoined in 2003. The official Miss World logo . The Miss World pageant is an international beauty pageant founded in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951. ... Logo of the Miss Universe event. ...

The most coveted symbol of the pageant, its crown, is a specially designed masterpiece by engineer George Wittels. It is changed about every five years, and is currently a heavy piece made out of white gold, platinum, silver, Austrian crystals and pearls. Since 2000 Miss World Venezuela carries a crown inlaid with turquoise. Winners retain their sash but are not allowed to keep the costly crowns which are passed from year to year and held in the headquarters at La Quinta Miss Venezuela.

The great pride the organization carries in its winners is never in dispute, although there remains, according to popular legend, regret for only one "stolen" crown: Carolina Izsak, Miss Venezuela 1991, considered by some the greatest winner produced. She was considered all but assured the Miss Universe 1992 crown when a mediocre interview score dropped her out of the final three. Interestingly, Michelle McLean of Namibia won the title that year, but was only a finalist several months before at Miss World 1991 which was won by Ninibeth Leal, who in turn lost the Miss Venezuela 1991 title to Carolina. Carolina Eva Izsak Kemenify was crowned Miss Venezuela 1991 representing the state of Amazonas. ... Michelle McLean was crowned Miss Universe in 1992. ... Ninibeth Beatriz Leal Jiminez (born in Venezuela) won the Miss World 1991 beauty pageant, held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Australia (Leanne Buckle) and South Africa (Diana Tilden-Davis) were the runners up. ...

The thousands of Venezuelan pageants fans agree that the country has had a lot of "stolen crowns" lately in the Miss Universe, such as Milka Chulina (1993) Minorka Mercado (1994) Marena Bencomo (1997) and Veruzka Ramírez (1998).

Order of succession

There has been considerable controversy in a number of major national pageants as to how to direct their contestants to Miss Universe, Miss World, and the other international contests. The reason for this issue is the dispute between the international pageants, who generally desire that the winner of a national contest be sent. Although many nations such as Italy and Germany have completely separate pageants for Miss Universe and Miss World, in the case of Miss Venezuela the national pageant organization must field candidates to almost all of the major world contests.

As of 2003, when the current system was put into place, the winners of the Miss Venezuela title (who goes to Miss Universe) and Miss World Venezuela are equal in rank. Nevertheless, the representative to Miss Universe is still announced last, and she is still considered the holder of the one single Miss Venezuela title. Nowadays, the final five finalists are announced during the telecast, followed by the elimination of the second and first runner-ups, then Miss Venezuela to Miss International, Miss Venezuela to Miss World, and Miss Venezuela to Miss Universe.

While this system is similar to that of Mexico and India, in Mexico the first runner-up is known as the "substitute" and in the order of succession automatically fills into any title above her that is emptied. For example, if "Nuestra Belleza Mexico Mundo" (Miss Mexico to Miss World) is unable to fulfill her duties, the first runner-up assumes her title. While the Miss Universe representative is similarly considered the "greater of the two equals", if her position is vacated, the first runner-up ascends to her crown, instead of Miss Mexico-World becoming Miss Mexico-Universe and the first runner-up going to Miss World. In India, however, the succession does follow the other option: the top three titles go Earth->World->Universe in rising order of importance (although they are also emphasized as "equals") and when Miss India World was dethroned in 2004, Miss India Earth replaced her, and the first runner-up was appointed to go to Miss Earth.

In Venezuela, neither policy of succession is explicitly laid down. Osmel Sousa makes the final decisions as to who is appointed when a vacancy arises; i.e. in 2003, there were significant rumors that Mariangel Ruiz might be replaced by Amara Barroeta, the first runner-up, to Miss Universe (and not Goizeder Azua, who was Miss World Venezuela). In fact, in 2003, the Miss International Pageant was concurrent with Miss Venezuela, meaning that it would be impossible to send a "fresh" contestant, and Osmel actually opted not to send Amara, who should have gone (as the first runner-up then was almost always automatically titled Miss Venezuela International) and instead replaced her with Goizeder Azua, who won Miss International 2003. Due to scheduling conflicts between Miss International and Miss Venezuela, a similar situation occurred in 2002 when Cynthia Lander, Miss Venezuela (Universe), gave up her crown to the next Miss Venezuela and immediately boarded a flight for Japan to participate in Miss International. The reasoning was that her first runner-up had already participated the year before, and it would have been ridiculous to crown a Miss Venezuela (International) and immediately send her on a plane to her contest with no specific preparation whatsoever. Thus, Miss Venezuela International now competes in the year after her coronation. Mariangel Ruiz Mariangel Ruiz (born January 07, 1980 in San Juan de los Morros, Guarico, Venezuela) is a Venezuelan show hostees, actress and fashion model. ... Goizeder Victoria Azúa Barríos, from Valencia, Venezuela is the Miss International titleholder for the year 2003. ... Born in Caracas, Venezuela on june 10, studied until she was 11 years old and then moved to the USA and returns to venezuela whe she was 16 [2]. // Cynthia has participated in [3]: Miss International, Tokyo, Japan (august, 2002). ...

Ironically, the only time in the "modern" pageant that the famous "if the winner should not fulfill her duties, the first runner-up will take over" statement was made for Miss Venezuela was in 1999. The decision was made to send whoever won to Miss World first, and then to Miss Universe if she did not win. This policy was adopted after the consecutive eliminations of Cristina Dieckmann and Veronica Schneider in 1997 and 1998, both of whom were considered amongst the strongest Miss World Venezuelas in history and whose eliminations were seen by the organization as a signal that it needed to send its winner to Miss World. Therefore, in 1999, there were no Miss World Venezuela or Miss Venezuela International titles, only an official Miss Venezuela, who was Martina Thorogood. Her first runner-up, Norkys Batista, was told that she would become Miss Venezuela to Miss Universe only if Martina won the Miss World crown outright. Martina came in second at Miss World and she was expected continue on to Miss Universe 2000 the next year. However, due to a number of major controversies, she was barred from Miss Universe 2000 on the grounds that as the first runner-up to Miss World, she was contracted to the organization and would have to succeed to that title if Yukta Mookhey, the winner that year, did not complete her reign. Osmel also declared that Miss Universe demanded a winner from Venezuela, thereby barring Norkys Batista from succeeding to the title. The only option for Norkys to go was for Martina to renounce the Miss Venezuela title, which neither she nor the organization was willing to do. Therefore, a new emergency (and temporary pageant) was held, called Miss Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which was conducted among ten former contestants (some semifinalists and other no finalists) from the previous five years. The winner, Claudia Moreno, had placed as seventh in the semifinals behind Martina and Norkys in Miss Venezuela 1999, and she ended up performing excellently and becoming first runner-up to Miss Universe 2000. In years to come, 2002's first runner-up Amara Barroeta would join Norkys Batista as one of several runners-ups to be "denied" the chance to compete at a "big three" pageant. Norkys Yelitza Batista Villarroel (born September 30, 1977 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a model and an actress. ... Yukta Mookhey (born 1979) is an Indian model and actress. ... Norkys Yelitza Batista Villarroel (born September 30, 1977 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a model and an actress. ...

In the USA and many other countries, an occasion when the order of succession comes into play is when the reigning titleholder wins her international contest, e.g. in 1997 when Brooke Mahealani Lee became Miss Universe and her first runner-up Brandi Sherwood became Miss USA. Interestingly, however, Venezuela does not have this official provision, even when the two "equal" winners both win Miss Universe and Miss World. In 1981, Miriam Quintana was considered somewhat unofficially as the serving Miss Venezuela, because both Irene Saez and Pilin Leon had won their respective pageants. However, in 1995-1996, when Alicia Machado took the Miss Universe title and Jacqueline Aguilera the Miss World crown, no new "Miss Venezuela" was appointed to hold the crown while they reigned internationally, though some newspapers said that Carla Steinkopf, Miss International Venezuela 1995, would give the crown to the 1996 winner. Brandi Sherwood (born January 31, 1971 in Idaho Falls, Idaho) is a model and most recognizable as 1997 Miss USA and a frequent rotating Barkers Beauty model on the daytime game show The Price Is Right. ...

"Miss Venezuela" Winners

Bolívar State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1901 State capital Ciudad Bolívar Area    â€¢% 238,000 km² 26,24   (Ranked 1st) Population    â€¢% 1,490,612 hab. ... Nickname: La Sultana del Avila (English:The Avilas Sultan) La Sucursal del paraiso Motto: Ave María Santísima, sin pecado concebida, en el primer instante de su ser natural. ... Carabobo State Anthem Motto: Ocassus servitutis (Latin: Decline of servitude) Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1864 State capital Valencia Area    â€¢% 4,650 km² 0,51   (Ranked 21st) Population    â€¢% 2,227,000 hab. ... Miranda State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital Los Teques Area    â€¢% 7,950 km² 0,87   (Ranked 17th) Population    â€¢% 2,857,900 hab. ... Capital District (spanish Distrito Capital) is the capital area of Venezuela which is placed on the same rank of states. ... Capital District (spanish Distrito Capital) is the capital area of Venezuela which is placed on the same rank of states. ... Sucre State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital Cumaná Area    â€¢% 11,800 km² 1. ... Capital District (spanish Distrito Capital) is the capital area of Venezuela which is placed on the same rank of states. ... Nickname: La Sultana del Avila (English:The Avilas Sultan) La Sucursal del paraiso Motto: Ave María Santísima, sin pecado concebida, en el primer instante de su ser natural. ... Anzoátegui State Anthem State motto: Tumba de sus tiranos (English: Tomb of their tyrants) Location whithin Venezuela Created (given the current status) 1909 Capital city Barcelona Area 43,300 km² Population 1,222,225 hab. ... Guárico State Anthem State motto: Si amas la libertad, ven a mis pampas (English: If you love liberty, come to my plains) Location whithin Venezuela Created (given current status) 1900 State capital San Juan de los Morros Area 64,986 km² Population (2001 est. ... Miranda State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital Los Teques Area    â€¢% 7,950 km² 0,87   (Ranked 17th) Population    â€¢% 2,857,900 hab. ... Capital District (spanish Distrito Capital) is the capital area of Venezuela which is placed on the same rank of states. ... Guárico State Anthem State motto: Si amas la libertad, ven a mis pampas (English: If you love liberty, come to my plains) Location whithin Venezuela Created (given current status) 1900 State capital San Juan de los Morros Area 64,986 km² Population (2001 est. ... Vargas State Anthem State motto: Igualdad, Libertad, Propiedad y Seguridad. ... Capital District (spanish Distrito Capital) is the capital area of Venezuela which is placed on the same rank of states. ... Estado Aragua is located in the north-central region of Venezuela. ... Named after Venezuelas first non-military president and doctor José María Vargas, the Estado Vargas is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... Carabobo State Anthem Motto: Ocassus servitutis (Latin: Decline of servitude) Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1864 State capital Valencia Area    â€¢% 4,650 km² 0,51   (Ranked 21st) Population    â€¢% 2,227,000 hab. ... Estado Monagas is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... Nueva Esparta State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital La Asunción Area    â€¢% 1,150 km² 0,12   (Ranked 23rd) Population    â€¢% 436,900 hab. ... Carabobo State Anthem Motto: Ocassus servitutis (Latin: Decline of servitude) Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1864 State capital Valencia Area    â€¢% 4,650 km² 0,51   (Ranked 21st) Population    â€¢% 2,227,000 hab. ... Estado Zulia is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... Nueva Esparta State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital La Asunción Area    â€¢% 1,150 km² 0,12   (Ranked 23rd) Population    â€¢% 436,900 hab. ... Guárico State Anthem State motto: Si amas la libertad, ven a mis pampas (English: If you love liberty, come to my plains) Location whithin Venezuela Created (given current status) 1900 State capital San Juan de los Morros Area 64,986 km² Population (2001 est. ... Nueva Esparta State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital La Asunción Area    â€¢% 1,150 km² 0,12   (Ranked 23rd) Population    â€¢% 436,900 hab. ... Vargas State Anthem State motto: Igualdad, Libertad, Propiedad y Seguridad. ... Guárico State Anthem State motto: Si amas la libertad, ven a mis pampas (English: If you love liberty, come to my plains) Location whithin Venezuela Created (given current status) 1900 State capital San Juan de los Morros Area 64,986 km² Population (2001 est. ... Maritza Sayalero (born Maritza Sayalero Fernández on February 16, 1961 in Caracas) was a Miss Venezuela in 1979 and became that countrys first Miss Universe that same year. ... Vargas State Anthem State motto: Igualdad, Libertad, Propiedad y Seguridad. ... Lara State Anthem State motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1901 State capital Barquisimeto Area    â€¢% 19,800 km² 2. ... Named after Venezuelas first non-military president and doctor José María Vargas, the Estado Vargas is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... Irene Lailin Sáez Conde (born 13 December 1961) is a Venezuelan who won the Miss Universe title in 1981 in New York City, and later became an important figure in Venezuelas political arena. ... Miranda State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital Los Teques Area    â€¢% 7,950 km² 0,87   (Ranked 17th) Population    â€¢% 2,857,900 hab. ... Named after Venezuelas first non-military president and doctor José María Vargas, the Estado Vargas is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... Guárico State Anthem State motto: Si amas la libertad, ven a mis pampas (English: If you love liberty, come to my plains) Location whithin Venezuela Created (given current status) 1900 State capital San Juan de los Morros Area 64,986 km² Population (2001 est. ... Named after Venezuelas first non-military president and doctor José María Vargas, the Estado Vargas is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... Portuguesa State Anthem State motto: Honor y Gloria (Spanish: Honor and Glory) Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital Guanare Area    â€¢% 15,200 km² 1,65   (Ranked ) Population    â€¢% 848,259 hab. ... Named after Venezuelas first non-military president and doctor José María Vargas, the Estado Vargas is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... Estado Zulia is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... Named after Venezuelas first non-military president and doctor José María Vargas, the Estado Vargas is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... Guárico State Anthem State motto: Si amas la libertad, ven a mis pampas (English: If you love liberty, come to my plains) Location whithin Venezuela Created (given current status) 1900 State capital San Juan de los Morros Area 64,986 km² Population (2001 est. ... Named after Venezuelas first non-military president and doctor José María Vargas, the Estado Vargas is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... Barbara Palacios Teyde (born December 9, 1963), better known simply as Barbara Palacios , is the third contestant from Venezuela to win the Miss Universe pageant She did it in Panama on July 26, 1986. ... Trujillo State Anthem State motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1899 State capital Trujillo Area    â€¢% 7,400 km² 0,81   (Ranked ) Population    â€¢% 691,908 hab. ... Nueva Esparta State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital La Asunción Area    â€¢% 1,150 km² 0,12   (Ranked 23rd) Population    â€¢% 436,900 hab. ... Yajaira Cristina Vera Roldán, of Venezuela, is the winner of the Miss Globe International pageant in 1988. ... Miranda State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital Los Teques Area    â€¢% 7,950 km² 0,87   (Ranked 17th) Population    â€¢% 2,857,900 hab. ... Lara State Anthem State motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1901 State capital Barquisimeto Area    â€¢% 19,800 km² 2. ... Bolívar State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1901 State capital Ciudad Bolívar Area    â€¢% 238,000 km² 26,24   (Ranked 1st) Population    â€¢% 1,490,612 hab. ... Carolina Eva Izsak Kemenify was crowned Miss Venezuela 1991 representing the state of Amazonas. ... Amazonas State Anthem State motto: Honor y Lealtad (Spanish: Honor and Loyalty) Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1994 ¹ State capital Puerto Ayacucho Area    â€¢% 180,145 km² 19,38   (Ranked 2nd) Population    â€¢% 136,506 hab. ... Estado Aragua is located in the north-central region of Venezuela. ... Estado Apure is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... Alicia Machado (2003) Yoseph Alicia Machado Fajardo (born December 6, 1976), commonly known as Alicia Machado, was the fourth woman from Venezuela to win the Miss Universe crown. ... Estado Yaracuy is one of the 23 states (estados) of Venezuela. ... Carabobo State Anthem Motto: Ocassus servitutis (Latin: Decline of servitude) Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1864 State capital Valencia Area    â€¢% 4,650 km² 0,51   (Ranked 21st) Population    â€¢% 2,227,000 hab. ... Miss Venezuela 1997-1998, Veruska Ramirez Veruska (Veruzhka) Tatiana Ramírez was crowned Miss Venezuela Universe in the Fall of 1997. ... Táchira State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1899 State capital San Cristóbal Area    â€¢% 11,100 km² 1,2   (Ranked 16th) Population    â€¢% 1,145,374 hab. ... Estado Delta Amacuro is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... Miranda State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital Los Teques Area    â€¢% 7,950 km² 0,87   (Ranked 17th) Population    â€¢% 2,857,900 hab. ... Eva Anna Ekvall Johnson (born March 15, 1983 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a TV hostess known for her various tv shows with Televen, specially in the show Las Rottenmayer. Eva has a degree in communications from Universidad Santa Maria in Caracas. ... Estado Apure is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... Born in Caracas, Venezuela on june 10, studied until she was 11 years old and then moved to the USA and returns to venezuela whe she was 16 [2]. // Cynthia has participated in [3]: Miss International, Tokyo, Japan (august, 2002). ... Capital District (spanish Distrito Capital) is the capital area of Venezuela which is placed on the same rank of states. ... Mariangel Ruiz Mariangel Ruiz (born January 07, 1980 in San Juan de los Morros, Guarico, Venezuela) is a Venezuelan show hostees, actress and fashion model. ... Estado Aragua is located in the north-central region of Venezuela. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Lara State Anthem State motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1901 State capital Barquisimeto Area    â€¢% 19,800 km² 2. ... Monica Spear Mootz is Miss Venezuela 2004, born October 1984 in Maracaibo, Zulia State. ... Guárico State Anthem State motto: Si amas la libertad, ven a mis pampas (English: If you love liberty, come to my plains) Location whithin Venezuela Created (given current status) 1900 State capital San Juan de los Morros Area 64,986 km² Population (2001 est. ... Sucre State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital Cumaná Area    â€¢% 11,800 km² 1. ... Lidymar Jonaitis Lidymar Ly Carolina Jonaitis Escalona (born October 12, 1985 in Valencia, Carabobo State, Venezuela) is a model and Miss Venezuela 2006. ... Guárico State Anthem State motto: Si amas la libertad, ven a mis pampas (English: If you love liberty, come to my plains) Location whithin Venezuela Created (given current status) 1900 State capital San Juan de los Morros Area 64,986 km² Population (2001 est. ...

Venezuelan representatives to International pageants

Representatives to Miss Universe

Maritza Sayalero (born Maritza Sayalero Fernández on February 16, 1961 in Caracas) was a Miss Venezuela in 1979 and became that countrys first Miss Universe that same year. ... Irene Lailin Sáez Conde (born 13 December 1961) is a Venezuelan who won the Miss Universe title in 1981 in New York City, and later became an important figure in Venezuelas political arena. ... Barbara Palacios Teyde (born December 9, 1963), better known simply as Barbara Palacios , is the third contestant from Venezuela to win the Miss Universe pageant She did it in Panama on July 26, 1986. ... Yajaira Cristina Vera Roldán, of Venezuela, is the winner of the Miss Globe International pageant in 1988. ... Carolina Eva Izsak Kemenify was crowned Miss Venezuela 1991 representing the state of Amazonas. ... Alicia Machado (2003) Yoseph Alicia Machado Fajardo (born December 6, 1976), commonly known as Alicia Machado, was the fourth woman from Venezuela to win the Miss Universe crown. ... Miss Venezuela 1997-1998, Veruska Ramirez Veruska (Veruzhka) Tatiana Ramírez was crowned Miss Venezuela Universe in the Fall of 1997. ... Eva Anna Ekvall Johnson (born March 15, 1983 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a TV hostess known for her various tv shows with Televen, specially in the show Las Rottenmayer. Eva has a degree in communications from Universidad Santa Maria in Caracas. ... Born in Caracas, Venezuela on june 10, studied until she was 11 years old and then moved to the USA and returns to venezuela whe she was 16 [2]. // Cynthia has participated in [3]: Miss International, Tokyo, Japan (august, 2002). ... Mariangel Ruiz Mariangel Ruiz (born January 07, 1980 in San Juan de los Morros, Guarico, Venezuela) is a Venezuelan show hostees, actress and fashion model. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Monica Spear Mootz is Miss Venezuela 2004, born October 1984 in Maracaibo, Zulia State. ... Lidymar Jonaitis Lidymar Ly Carolina Jonaitis Escalona (born October 12, 1985 in Valencia, Carabobo State, Venezuela) is a model and Miss Venezuela 2006. ...

Representatives to Miss World

Carmen Susana Duijm Zubillaga won the 1955 Miss World contest, representing Venezuela. ... María Conchita Alonso (born June 29, 1957) is a Grammy Award-nominated Cuban-born Venezuelan singer and actress. ... Carmen Josefina Leon Crespo, best known as Pilin Leon, won the 1981 Miss World contest, representing Venezuela. ... Astrid Carolina Herrera Irrazábal won the 1984 Miss World contest, representing Venezuela. ... Ruddy Rosario Rodríguez de Lucía (born 1967) is an Venezuelan actress and a model. ... Emma Irmgard Marina Rabbe Ramírez (born 18 April 1969 in Ottawa, Canada) is Canadian-Venezuelan television actress. ... Ninibeth Beatriz Leal Jiminez (born in Venezuela) won the Miss World 1991 beauty pageant, held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Australia (Leanne Buckle) and South Africa (Diana Tilden-Davis) were the runners up. ... Jacqueline Aguilera Marcano (1976?-) was Miss World in 1995, representing Venezuela. ... Goizeder Victoria Azúa Barríos, from Valencia, Venezuela is the Miss International titleholder for the year 2003. ... Alexandra Federica Guzmán Diamante is the current Miss Venezuela World 2006. ... Image:Claudiasuarez moda. ...

Representatives to Miss International

      The contestant won the title

Notes: Alejandrina Nina Sicilia Hernandez is the first Venezuelan to hold the Miss International title in 1985. ... Consuelo Adler Hernández, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, became the second Miss International beauty pageant winner from her country in 1997. ... Daniela Kosán Daniela Kosán Montcourt is a Venezuelan model and television presenter born February 24, 1974 (1976 according some sources) in Maracay. ... Vivian Inés Urdaneta Rincón is the winner of the 2000 Miss International beauty pageant. ... Born in Caracas, Venezuela on june 10, studied until she was 11 years old and then moved to the USA and returns to venezuela whe she was 16 [2]. // Cynthia has participated in [3]: Miss International, Tokyo, Japan (august, 2002). ... Goizeder Victoria Azúa Barríos, from Valencia, Venezuela is the Miss International titleholder for the year 2003. ... Daniela Di Giacomo Di Giovanni is the winner of the 2006 Miss International pageant. ... Vanessa Peretti Vanessa Jackeline Gómez Peretti (born March 21, 1986 in Cumaná, Sucre State, Venezuela) is a model and Miss Venezuela International 2006. ...

• * Barely thirty-six (36) hours after being crowned Miss Venezuela 1976, Elluz Peraza gave up her title to get married and was succeeded by Judith Castillo.

• ** In 2000, the Miss Universe Organization refused the entry of Martina Thorogood, Miss Venezuela 1999 after placing second at Miss World 1999 and as well as that of her first runner-up Norkys Batista to the 2000 Miss Universe contest. The move forced the Miss Venezuela Organization to hold a snap pageant called Miss Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela (composed of former Miss Venezuela contestants from previous years) to select Venezuela's delegate to that year's pageant held in Nicosia, Cyprus.

• *** In 1991, Jackeline Rodriguez of the state of Miranda was hand-picked by Osmel Sousa to represent Venezuela in the Miss Universe pageant that year because the 1991 Miss Venezuela pageant was moved to September.

• **** The Miss World Organization announced that Miss World 2006 would be held in Poland on September 30, three months ahead of schedule. The Miss Venezuela Org. decided to return to the "emergency" system used in 2000-01 and hold a special pageant, Miss World Venezuela 2006. The winner was Federica Guzmán, selected to represent Venezuela in Miss World 2006.

Information courtesy of www.pageantopolis.com Norkys Yelitza Batista Villarroel (born September 30, 1977 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a model and an actress. ... Osmel Sousa is a Venezuelan impresario and (as of March 2006) is the president of the Miss Venezuela Organization. ... The Miss World pageant is an international beauty pageant founded in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951, and now Erics wife Julia Morley is a co-chairman on the pageant. ... September 30 is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Official Website
• Belleza Venezolana
• Bellas Venezolanas

See Also

• Mister Venezuela

Vito Gasparrini, Mister Venezuela 2006. ...